Cellular electrical fields are measured

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have developed a wireless, nanoscale voltmeter that can measure electrical fields inside individual cells.

University of Michigan researchers said their device is overturning conventional wisdom about the physical environment inside cells, and might help answer such medical issues as why cancer cells grow out of control and how to mend damaged nerves.

"The basic idea behind this field of research is to follow cellular processes -- both normal and abnormal -- by monitoring physical properties inside the cell," said Professor Raoul Kopelman.

With a diameter of about 30 nanometers, the spherical device is 1,000-times smaller than existing voltmeters, Kopelman said, noting the device is a photonic instrument, meaning it uses light instead of electrons.

Until now it has not been possible to measure electrical fields inside a cell. With the new approach, the scientists said they don't simply insert a single voltmeter; they're able to deploy thousands of voltmeters at once, spread throughout the cell.

The research that also included former postdoctoral fellow Katherine Tyner and Professor Martin Philbert was presented during weekend in Washington at the 47th annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.